Any language, any time, anywhere.

Language Trainers provides individually-tailored language training on a one-on-one or small group basis to busy people who need language skills for business, family and travel needs.

Head Office

Language Trainers has a worldwide network of qualified and experienced native-speaking language teachers, from London to Lima. Our head office deals with administration, course development, academic support, and matching teachers with learners.

Trainers

All of our experienced trainers are native speakers (or have a native-speaker level of the language taught) with appropriate teaching qualifications. They are locally based to reduce your expenses and travel time.

Directors

The directors of Language Trainers have worked at all levels in the language industry, from thousands of hours teaching to running schools. They are also dedicated language enthusiasts, speaking many languages between them.

Company Information

Language Trainers Corporation of 21 O'Connors Lane, Old Tappan, NJ 07675 is incorporated in New Jersey and is a member of the Association for Language Learning and is ISO9001:2008 and BBB A+ accredited. Language Trainers was established in 2004.

Directors

Alexis Sheldon, MA, Cert. TEFL
CEO

A Cambridge University graduate (BA Hons Social & Political Science), Alexis speaks English, fluent Russian and Portuguese, good French, Italian, and Spanish, and elementary Mandarin Chinese and Hebrew. A qualified TEFL teacher, Alexis also holds an MA in Tourism Management from Brighton University.

Alexis has over 20 years teaching experience in schools from Israel to Ukraine and was previously responsible for the corporate training division of a leading UK language school. His other projects include Translation Central, a translation services agency and Fast Lane SEO, a multilingual SEO agency.

Jon Pokroy, BA, Dip. TEFL
Academic Director

A Cambridge University graduate (BA Hons Philosophy), Jon is also an experienced English teacher, having worked in Spain, Germany and London for over 16 years. Jon speaks English, and fluent German and Spanish. Jon holds a Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from the world renowned International House training center in London.

Jon has run training for executives in English for Specific Purposes and producing courses for Specific Purposes for corporations, universities and the British Council. Jon has also worked as an examiner for the British Council.

Richard Sheldon, MA, MBA
CFO

Richard brings more than 25 years of experience in finance, capital raising and strategy to Language Trainers. He has held management and CFO positions in both private and public companies including ECONnergy Energy Company, Concrete Inc., Weatherford Global Compression Services and ContextWeb. He is currently also the CFO at Complex Media. In addition, Richard was a business development executive at GE Capital and a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company. Richard started his career at Arthur Andersen in London where he became a Chartered Accountant. Richard holds an MA from Oxford University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Our Team

Alexis Sheldon
CEO

Jon Pokroy
Academic Director

Richard Sheldon
CFO

Sales

Natalia Taylor
Sales Supervisor

Barbara Fuhr
Sales Executive

Irina Nofenko
Sales Executive

Julia Derbule
Sales Executive

Luciana Alberico
Sales Executive

Rachel Abad
Sales Executive

Relationship Managment

Ariadna Escobedo
Course Coordinators Supervisor

Mariana Sosa
Course Coordinator

Sarah Sauter
Course Coordinator

Ingrid Reinig Machado
Course Coordinator for Brazil

Paula Pinal
Course Coordinator

Victoria Traverso
Course Coordinator

Agostina Dimaio
Course Coordinator

Daniela Todinca
Course Coordinator

Florencia Casero
Course Coordinator

Julieta Dimaio
Course Coordinator

Chloe Louise Shill
Course coordinator

Teacher Recruitment

Carla Filippini
Teacher Recruitment Supervisor

Valeria Almeida
Teacher Recruitment Assistant

M. Emilia Pérez I.
Teacher Recruitment Assistant

Academic Department

Mariana Serb
Academic Adviser

Cassidy Dobson
Academic Advisor Assistant

Financial and HR

Ellis David Rosen
Financial Controller

Gabriela Pascuali
HR Coordinator

Karissa Timpug
Accounts Assistant

IT and Web Development

Nicolas Ferreti
IT Manager

Martín Acosta
Senior PHP/Javascript Developer

Marcos Castiñeras
Senior Designer

Esteban Primost
Web Developer

Communications

Nicolás Solé
Marketing Project Coordinator

Benjamin Harris
Editor Manager

Nahuel Sotelo
Graphic Designer

Hanna Meiners
Editor Manager

Gabriela Ferreira
Editor Manager

Paul Mains
Community Manager

Feedback and Suggestions

At Language Trainers we really care about what our clients and trainers have to say. We also care about your opinion even if you are just browsing our website for the first time.

Teacher Case Studies

What language do you teach, and why did you choose teaching as your career?

I teach English as a second —or other—language. I come from a long line of teachers: both parents, aunts, and uncles are all teachers. To me, there is no career more rewarding. I love to see that sparkle in the eyes of my students when they start to understand. Knowledge is power and I want all of my students to have everything they need to succeed in any endeavor they choose.

Where did you study, how long have you been teaching, and what age group do you usually teach?

My focus has been Business English for the most part –however not exclusively. I’ve taught all levels from beginner to advanced. I studied English literature at Fullerton College in Fullerton, California and journalism at University of North Texas. I have the TEFL certification and have completed The Compton Method of Accent Reduction.

What do you look for in a student?

I love to see a motivated student. I also make it my mission to give students the confidence they need. I try to make sure classes are interesting and seek to motivate them through my own desire to learn.

What should students expect in you as a teacher?

Students should expect and receive a program which suits their individual needs. My curriculum is very specific to each student, built according to what they wish to focus on. As a teacher, I will push them; it might get repetitive, and their jaw muscles may hurt, but we will always have fun.

What’s your teaching secret to success?

I always tell my students, “Together, we can do this!” I have said that to all of them. I want their feedback. It helps me build lessons plans specifically for them. I have seen programs that worked, and those that didn’t. From these and throughout my 13 years of teaching ESL, I build successful lessons plans that work for my student.

Describe your favorite aspect of working with Language Trainers.

I get so much support from the team. I’m used to having to bear everything on my own, so the support I get from Language Trainers is essential. From materials for the students, to great links to books, I trust them to send me the best resources. I’ve been working with Language Trainers for three years and I can say with all honesty, they are one of the best schools I have worked with. They care about the students and want the best teaching experience and outcome for them.

Client Case Studies

”We wanted to come to Peru with the confidence we could have small conversations with the people here. We knew that not only would it be helpful, but it would also enhance our experience and make us get more out of the trip.”

Tarran Kent-Hume & Olie Hunter Smart
Spanish for an Amazon Adventure

Tarran Kent-Hume and Olie Hunter Smart are two adrenaline-seeking adventurers who have dared to take on the western hemisphere’s longest and largest river, the Amazon. For five months, the two will be kayaking the 6,500 kilometer course of this gigantic, unpredictable river. While planning the adventure, the two enrolled in a 10-session online class with Language Trainers to learn Spanish before heading to South America. We caught up with them to chat about their trip and their experience with our online Spanish course.

LT: Good afternoon guys, how are you?

Olie Hunter Smart: Hi, we’re good, thanks! We’re currently in Lima, the first stop on our trip, and just finished a Google Hangout with a bunch of kids to talk to them about traveling and our adventure.

Tarran Kent-Hume: We’ll be here until Sunday or Monday and then we’ll be packing up and beginning the first part of our adventure at the Mantaro River here in Peru.

LT: Wow, I can imagine you’re excited about your upcoming kayak adventure down the Amazon! I know you’re probably busy with preparations so thanks for taking the time to chat. Can you tell us a little bit about yourselves and the adventure? We’ve been reading about your project and we’d love to hear more.

Tarran Kent-Hume: After six years as an investment banking headhunter, I knew I needed to make a change. I just turned 30 a couple weeks ago, and I wanted to do something big. I’m an adventurer: I practice Muay Thai fighting, I’ve climbed Mont Blanc, and now it’s onto conquering the Amazon. While I was in Thailand, I became fascinated by the rivers there and since I’d never been to South America, I figured the Amazon was the perfect next stop.

Olie Hunter Smart: When I was 18, I went to the Belizean jungle and it blew my mind. The scale of the trees and the peacefulness of it all really captivated me. I have been working in advertising in London for the past 10 years and wasn’t liking it. I thought there must be more than sitting behind a desk. Then I went traveling through Russia and South America with my girlfriend – it was incredible! When I got back, however, I went straight back into the world of advertising and got into the internal politics again, ending up right back where I was. I thought, “Nope! Can’t do this!” I needed to escape and live my life properly. I went camping with a guy who knew Tarran was going to be kayaking the Amazon and two weeks later, I met him and we began planning this trip together.

LT: So that’s why you began studying Spanish, right? To prepare for this trip?

Tarran Kent-Hume: Yes, we wanted to come to Peru with the confidence we could have small conversations with the people here. We knew that not only would it be helpful, but it would also enhance our experience and make us get more out of the trip. Also, if you speak someone’s language, they’re a lot more likely to help you out.

LT: What was your Spanish level beforehand?

Tarran Kent-Hume: I didn’t know much Spanish at all.

Olie Hunter Smart: Since I had traveled around South America before, I knew some and could understand when people talked. But it was frustrating because I didn’t know how to respond – I couldn’t put sentences together.

LT: And now that you’ve finished the course, how has your Spanish improved?

Tarran Kent-Hume: The classes helped massively. Plus we received homework outside the course which helped us process what we learned. We would write in Spanish and put thought into what we were writing, how to structure sentences and what we wanted to say. I know how to order food, ask for directions, and have short conversations with people – before I couldn’t do that!

Olie Hunter Smart: Right, and I liked that the class was more about conversing than specific vocabulary words. That really helped me get better.

LT: That’s great to hear. Have you been putting your new language skills to use?

Tarran Kent-Hume: Yes, in the past few days we’ve really been immersed. I listen to what people are saying and can pull out words I recognize, and piece together a response.

Olie Hunter Smart: Our knowledge of Spanish has already helped us out a lot here in Lima but it’s going to prove invaluable in the more rural parts where no one speaks English.

LT: What was your favorite part about your classes with us?

Tarran Kent-Hume: I liked that we could take the class together and online. After the class ended each time, I’d call Olie and we’d review our notes, converse in Spanish to practice, and talk about the homework.

Olie Hunter Smart: And our teacher was great. She knew why we wanted to learn Spanish and helped us make a list of keywords and phrases to know. For example, we know how to say “Please don’t shoot!” if we need to use it.

LT: Would you recommend Language Trainers in the future?

Olie Hunter Smart: Yeah, I would. We learned a lot in the short time we had. It has given me the confidence to talk a bit more and not rely on other people while I’m traveling.

Language Courses in more than 200 cities across the USA & Canada and Online via Skype

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One-on-one trial Skype lesson

To take a one-on-one trial Skype lesson with a native, qualified language trainer, please let us know your details and we will send you full information on how to get started. The trial costs only $1.99* for most languages (less than the cost of a cup of coffee) for a 30-minute session where you will be able to communicate directly with your trainer and talk about your language goals and the specifics of your private language program. Beginners will also learn some of the basics of the language and more advanced students will have a chance to brush up what they already know. For more info about our Skype language packages.

The $1.99 will be deducted from your course prices if you decide to continue.